The first known Black playwright emerged in the 1800s.Historical Dictionary of African American Theater, Third Edition explores themes of identity, resistance, community, and social justice. It encompasses a wide range of artistic forms-comedy, drama, musical theater, and experimental works-and has produced influential playwrights such as Lorraine Hansberry, August Wilson, and Amiri Baraka. The field serves both as a platform for artistic innovation and as a means of cultural preservation, education, and political commentary.It contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography, and cross-referenced dictionary entries on actors, directors and music composers, choreographers; costumers, scenic, and lighting designers. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about African American theater